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Wright pleased to add Alvarez to Derby team

Wright pleased to add Alvarez to Derby team

PITTSBURGH -- David Wright can't make everyone happy. With only three other spots on the National League team in the 2013 Chevrolet Home Run Derby, the NL captain had some difficult decisions to make.

The Mets' third baseman went with Carlos Gonzalez, Bryce Harper and Michael Cuddyer originally, leaving fans from Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, among others, unhappy. But Gonzalez pulled out because of a finger injury, so Wright appeased the Steel City faithful by replacing him with Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez.

Alvarez ranks second in the NL in homers. He was born in the Dominican Republic, but grew up in Manhattan.

"After talking to him, I knew how excited he was and how much he wanted to do this," Wright said. "I'm glad he was next in line for me to ask. Twenty-three or 24 homers doesn't hurt, either. And then on top of that, being from New York, I think it was an excellent choice -- to pat myself on the back.

"I mean, no matter what you do, there's going to be somebody that's unhappy. There's going to be a city that's unhappy. But I thought Pedro was very deserving. He was very deserving from the start. I just didn't have enough spots."

Steven Petrella is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.